You need passion to tell a story worth telling
— Lisa Camillo
 
 
 

BIOGRAPHY

Human Rights-Driven Filmmaker | Anthropologist | Writer | Podcast Host

Lisa Camillo is a visionary storyteller and filmmaker whose work seamlessly blends artistry, authenticity, and advocacy. As the founder and director of Against the Tide Films, Lisa has earned international acclaim for her award-winning documentaries and films, showcased at over 20 prestigious film festivals and cinemas worldwide, including Australia and the United States.

Born to Italian and Australian heritage, Lisa’s distinctive cinematic voice reflects her rich cultural roots, marrying European aesthetics with Australian sensibilities. Her passion lies in uncovering untold stories and creating films that not only captivate visually but also spark meaningful conversations about human rights, cultural identity, and the delicate balance between humanity and nature.

With a Master’s degree in International Development and expertise in anthropology, international politics, criminology, and environmental studies, Lisa’s films are deeply informed by her cross-disciplinary knowledge. Her years of working with Aboriginal communities and Indigenous cultures worldwide have enriched her ability to tell stories with cultural depth, nuance, and respect.

Lisa is also a hands-on filmmaker, mastering an array of technical tools and techniques to bring her bold creative visions to life. From operating drones, Steadicams, and RED Cameras to editing with Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro, she seamlessly merges technical precision with raw emotional storytelling. Whether filming from helicopters, boats, or motorbikes, her approach is daring, immersive, and deeply personal.

As a writer, anthropologist, and podcast host, Lisa’s storytelling transcends mediums, always driven by a desire to create meaningful connections and inspire change. Her work is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate complex sociopolitical themes, challenge perspectives, and leave audiences profoundly moved.

Lisa’s authenticity, relentless pursuit of beauty, and commitment to embedding genuine human and cultural depth into her projects make her a rare force in independent cinema. Whether directing a film, hosting a podcast, or collaborating with fellow creatives, she infuses every endeavor with purpose, artistry, and an unwavering dedication to making the invisible visible.

Find me on IMDb:

 
 

Find me on Wikipedia:

 
 

AWARDS

 
 

FILMOLOGRAPHY

Aljazeera - Witness: Italy Covid Hotline, documentary 25 min as Director, Producer, DOP -Directed, Produced, DOP and Wrote a 25 min Observational documentary commissioned by the international broadcaster Aljazeera 

  • Nominated for the AIB Awards (Association of International Broadcasters)

  • Nominated for IDA (International Documentary Association)

Aljazeera - Close Up: The Sardinian Factory of Death, documentary 12 min as Director, Producer, DOP -Directed, Produced, DOP and Wrote a 12 min Observational documentary commissioned by the international broadcaster Aljazeera 

Balentes - The Brave Ones feature Documentary, 84min, 2018. Role as Director, Producer, Writer and Narrator.

  • Australian Cinema Release, with Palace Cinemas part of Lavazza Film Festival, with 34 screenings across Australian main cities

  • Guest Judge of Lavazza Film Festival

  • Winner of Best Feature Documentary at the International Uranium Film Festival 2020, Berlin, Germany 

  • Winner of Best Feature Documentary at Life After Oil International Film Festival

  • Winner of Award of Merit at Impact Doc Awards, USA

  • Official Selection at Chelsea Film Festival, New York City, USA

  • Official Selection at MIA- Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, Rome, Italy, under the section Italians Doc It Better

  • Official Selection at MIA- Mercato Internazionale Audiovisivo, Rome, Italy, under the section MIA Pitching Forum

  • Official Selection at Andaras Travelling Film Festival, Italy

  • Official Selection at Newcastle Italian Film Festival, Newcastle, Australia

  • Official Selection at Italian Film Festival USA, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Portland, Milwaukee, St. Louis, United States

  • Streamed on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes worldwide, distributed by Levelk 

Live Through This, documentary, 8min, 2013, Role as Director, Cinematographer and Producer.

  • CourageCuriosityCompassion Documentary Award- Film Ink

  • Best Music Award- AGSC

  • Official Selection at Flickerfest- Flickerfest

  • Official Selection at Antenna Film Festival- Antenna Film Festival

  • Second Prize Winner at the Backyard Film Festival- Backyard Film Festival

  • Official Selection at the Short Film Social- Official Selection at the Short Film Social

  • Official Selection at Seen & Heard Film Festival- Seen & Heard Film Festival

  • Awarded 1st Class Award and entry into the Final Round at The "Tech-ex Cup" Awards Ceremony at Zhejiang University of Media and Communications (Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China)

  • Official Selection to WOW Film Festival, the Festival of Women in Film, 2016.

Boneshaker, Catherine Britt's Video Clip, 3 min, 2014, TribalApes Production Company, Role as Director.

  • Winner of the 44th CMAA Country Music Video Clip Awards of Australia- Golden Guitar Awards

Requiem One Long Shot Short Film, 5 min, 2016. Role as Director, Writer, Producer, DOP.

  • Official Selection to ONE TAKE FILM FESTIVAL, Zagreb, Croatia, 2016.

  • Official Selection to FLORENCE FILM FESTIVAL, Florence, Italy, 2017.

  • Official Selection to CLERMONT FERRAND SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 2017


BIOGRAFIA

Photo by Luca Cattoretti

Regista impegnata per i diritti umani | Antropologa | Scrittrice | Podcaster

Lisa Camillo è una narratrice visionaria e regista il cui lavoro fonde armoniosamente arte, autenticità e impegno sociale. Fondatrice e direttrice di Against the Tide Films, Lisa ha ottenuto riconoscimenti internazionali per i suoi documentari e film pluripremiati, proiettati in oltre 20 prestigiosi festival cinematografici e cinema di tutto il mondo, inclusi Australia e Stati Uniti.

Nata da radici italiane e australiane, la voce cinematografica di Lisa riflette la ricchezza delle sue origini culturali, unendo estetica europea e sensibilità australiana. La sua passione risiede nel raccontare storie mai narrate, creando film che non solo catturano visivamente, ma ispirano anche conversazioni significative sui diritti umani, sull'identità culturale e sul delicato equilibrio tra umanità e natura.

Con un Master in Sviluppo Internazionale ed esperienze in antropologia, politica internazionale, criminologia e studi ambientali, i film di Lisa sono profondamente informati dalla sua vasta conoscenza interdisciplinare. I suoi anni di lavoro con comunità aborigene e culture indigene in tutto il mondo hanno arricchito la sua capacità di raccontare storie con profondità culturale, sensibilità e rispetto.

Lisa è anche una regista estremamente pratica, padroneggiando una vasta gamma di strumenti e tecniche tecniche per dare vita alle sue audaci visioni creative. Dall’utilizzo di droni, Steadicam e RED Cameras al montaggio con Avid Media Composer e Adobe Premiere Pro, unisce precisione tecnica a una narrazione emozionale autentica. Che stia filmando da elicotteri, barche o motociclette, il suo approccio è audace, immersivo e profondamente personale.

Come scrittrice, antropologa e podcaster, la narrazione di Lisa trascende i confini dei media, sempre guidata dal desiderio di creare connessioni significative e ispirare il cambiamento. Il suo lavoro testimonia il potere del racconto di illuminare temi sociopolitici complessi, sfidare le prospettive e lasciare il pubblico profondamente colpito.

L’autenticità di Lisa, la sua incessante ricerca della bellezza e il suo impegno nell’infondere vera profondità umana e culturale nei suoi progetti la rendono una presenza rara e straordinaria nel cinema indipendente. Che stia dirigendo un film, conducendo un podcast o collaborando con altri creativi, Lisa infonde in ogni progetto scopo, arte e una dedizione incrollabile nel rendere visibile ciò che spesso resta invisibile.


In the Press:


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Shooting for the Australian Army

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Shooting for the Australian Army inside a military tank

On ABC News Australia talking about her film Balentes cinemas tour

On ABC News Australia talking about her film Balentes cinemas tour

On RAI talking about her film launch

On RAI talking about her film launch

Q&A at the Premier of Balentes in Australia with Palace Cinemas

Q&A at the Premier of Balentes in Australia with Palace Cinemas


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Featured on Marie Claire for her work on Balentes - The Brave Ones

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At Balentes - The Brave Ones Premiere Night in Melbourne

At Balentes - The Brave Ones Premiere Night in Melbourne

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Interview on RAI INTERNATIONAL

On the Italian channel RAI

Accepting A Film Award
Accepting the PopcornTaxi Award

Teaching a Materclass in visual anthropology for the Sardinian Film Commission